A number of noted individuals have been Buddhists.
Historical Buddhist thinkers and founders of schools
Individuals are grouped by nationality, except in cases where the vast majority of their influence was felt elsewhere. Gautama Buddha and his contemporary disciples ('Buddhists') are listed separately from later Indian Buddhist thinkers, teachers and contemplatives.
Buddha's disciples and early Buddhists
- See also: Disciples of the Buddha and Family of the Buddha
- The Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama
- Ambapali
- Ananda, Siddhartha's cousin, personal attendant of the Buddha and one of his chief disciples
- Anathapindika
- Angulimala
- Anuruddha
- Assaji
- Ajatasattu
- Bhaddiya
- Bimbisara
- Channa
- Citta
- Cunda
- Dabba Mallaputta
- Devadatta, another cousin of Siddhartha and later rival who attempted to assassinate the Buddha
- Dhammadinna
- Hatthaka of Alavi
- Janussoni
- Jayasena
- Jivaka Komarabhacca
- Maha Kaccana
- Kaccayana Gotta
- Kankharevata
- Maha Kappina
- Kasi Bharadvaja
- Kevatta
- Khema
- Khujjuttara
- Kisa Gotami
- Kondañña
- Maha Kotthika
- Magandiya
- Mahākāśyapa
- Mahanama
- Mallika
- Maudgalyayana (Sanskrit, Moggallana Pali), one of two chief disciples of the Buddha.
- Maya Devi
- Migara
- Nanda
- Maha Pajapati Gotami
- Pasenadi
- Pindola Bharadvaja
- Pukkusati
- Punna
- Rahula, only child of Prince Siddhartha and Yashodhara before Siddhartha renounced and began his search for Enlightenment
- Ratthapala
- Revata
- Samavati
- Sariputta (Pali, Shariputra Sanskrit), one of the two chief disciples of the Buddha.
- Subhuti
- Suddhodana
- Sundari
- Sunita
- Tissa
- Udena
- Upali, foremost disciple in knowledge of the Vinaya.
- Uppalavanna
- Vacchagotta
- Vappa
- Velukandakiya
- Visakha
- Yasa
- Yashodhara, wife of Prince Siddhartha before he renounced and began his search for Enlightenment
Later Indian Buddhists (after Buddha)
- Aryadeva, foremost disciple of Nagarjuna, continued the philosophical school of Madhyamika
- Asanga, under of the Yogachara school, widely considered the most important Mahayana philosopher (with Nagarjuna)
- Atisha, holder of the “mind training” (Tib. lojong) teachings, considered an indirect founder of the Geluk school of Tibetan Buddhism
- Bhavaviveka, early expositor of the Svatantrika Madhyamika
- Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen/Chán
- Bodhiruci, patriarch of the Ti-Lun school
- Buddhabhadra, founding abbot and patriarch of the Shaolin temple
- Buddhaghosa, (Theravadin commentator)
- Buddhapalita, early expositor of the Prasangika Madhyamika
- Candragomin, renowned grammarian
- Chandrakirti, considered the greatest exponent of Prasangika Madhyamika
- Dharmakirti, famed logician, author of the Seven Treatises; student of Dignana's student Ishvarasena; said to have debated famed Hindu scholar Shankara
- Dignaga, famed logician
- Gunaprabha, foremost student of Vasubandhu, known for his work the Vinayasutra
- Kamalashila (8th century), author of important texts on meditation
- Luipa, one of the eighty-four tantric Mahasiddhas
- Nagarjuna, founder of the Madhyamika school, widely considered the most important Mahayana philosopher (with Asanga)
- Nagpopa, one of the eighty-four tantric mahasiddas
- Nadapada, (Tib. Naropa), Tilopa's primary disciple, teacher of Marpa the Translator and Khungpo Nyaljor
- Padmasambhava (Tib. Guru Rinpoche) Indian founder of Tibetan Buddhism
- Prahevajra (Tib. Garab Dorje) Indian founder of Dzogchen (Total Perfection) tradition
- Sakyaprabha, prominent expositor of the Vinaya
- Saraha, famed mahasiddha, forefather of the Tibetan Kagyu lineage
- Shantarakshita, abbot of Nalanda, founder of the Yogachara-Madhyamika who helped Padmasambhava establish Buddhism in Tibet
- Shantideva, (8th century) author of the Bodhisattvacaryavatra
- Talika, (Tilopa in Tibetan), recipient of four separate transmissions from Nagarjuna, Nagpopa, Luipa, and Khandro Kalpa Zangmo; Naropa's teacher
- Vasubandhu, author of (1) the Abhidharmakosha and (2) various Yogacara treatises; these may or may not be the same person
- Vimuktisena, commentator on texts of Asanga's
Indo-Greek
Central Asian
- An Shih Kao, a Parthian monk and the first known Buddhist missionary to China, in 148 CE.
- Dharmaraksa, a Yueh-Chih Buddhist monk, the first known translator of the Lotus Sutra into Chinese.
- Jnanagupta (561-592), a monk and translator from Gandhara, Pakistan.
- Kumarajiva (c. 401), a Kuchean monk, and one of the most important translators.
- Lokaksema, a Kushan monk, the first translator of Mahayana scriptures into Chinese, around 180 CE.
- Prajna (c. 810). A monk and translator from Kabul, who translated important texts into Chinese and educated the Japanese Kūkai in Sanskrit texts.
Chinese
- Baizhang Huaihai
- Bodhidharma, the first patriarch of Zen in China
- Dahui Zonggao, 12th century koan master
- Dao Xin, fourth patriarch of Zen in China
- Daoji, a Buddhist monk revered as a deity in Taoism
- Fa Ru
- Fa Xian, translator and pilgrim
- Fazang
- Fu Yu
- Hong Yi, calligraphist, painter, master of seal carving
- Hongren, fifth patriarch of Zen in China
- Huangbo Xiyun, 9th century, teacher of Linji
- Hui Guang
- Huike, second patriarch of Zen in China
- Huineng, sixth and last patriarch of Zen in China
- Yi Jing, pilgrim and translator
- Ingen, 17th century Chinese Zen monk, founder of the Ōbaku sect of Zen
- Jinaluo
- Jizang, founder of the Three Treatise School
- Jnanayasas, translator
- Joshu, 9th century Chinese Zen monk
- Linji, 9th century Chinese monk, founder of the Linji school of Zen
- Mazu, 8th century Zen master, teacher of Zhaozhou
- Mo-ho-yen, 8th century Chinese monk, advocate of “sudden” enlightenment
- Ou-Yang Jin-Wu
- Pu Ji
- Sanghapala, 6th century monk (Mon-Khmer?) who translated many texts to Chinese
- Seng Chou
- Sengcan, third patriarch of Zen in China
- Shenxiu, Tang Dynasty, Patriarch of "Northern School" Zen sect
- Wumen Huikai, author of the Gateless Gate
- Xuanzang, brought Yogacara to China to found Faxiang school, significant pilgrim, translator
- Yunmen Wenyan, founder of one of the five Chán schools
- Zhaozhou, 9th century Chán master; noted for "Mu" koan
- Zhiyi, founder of theTiantai school
- Zongmi, fifth patriarch of Chinese Huayan school
Tibetan
- Gampopa, a student of Jetsun Milarepa and founder of the Karma Kagyü lineage of Tibetan Buddhism
- Dolpopa founder of the Jonang school and the Shentong philosophy
- Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye, the first Jamgon Kongtrul
- Karsey Kongtrül, the second Jamgon Kongtrul
- Khungpo Nyaljor, founder of the Shangpa Kagyü lineage
- Longchenpa one of the greatest Nyingma philosophers
- Mandarava, important female student and consort of Padmasambhava
- Marpa (Marpa the Translator, Marpa of Lhobrag), student of Naropa and a founder of the Kagyü lineage of Tibetan Buddhism
- Milarepa, a foremost student of Marpa Lotsawa who is said to have achieved buddhahood in one lifetime
- Padmasambhava, (Tib. Guru Rinpoche) Indian founder of Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism
- Sakya Pandita one of the greatest Sakya philosophers
- Taranatha important Jonang scholar
- Tsongkhapa (14th century Tibetan monk, founder of the Geluk school of Tibetan Buddhism, based upon the Kadam tradition)
- Yeshe Tsogyal, important female student and consort of Padmasambhava
Japanese
- Bankei Yōtaku (1622-1693), 'Unborn' Zen
- Deiryu, Jun-san - zen monk and artist. (1895-1954)
- Dogen Zenji (founder of Soto Zen, based upon the Chinese Caodong tradition)
- Eisai (12th century Japanese monk, travelled to China and returned to found the Japanese Rinzai sect of Zen)
- Ippen, founder of the Japanese Pure Land Ji sect (Ji-shu)
- Ikkyu
- Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769, Rinzai Zen)
- Hōnen, founder of the Japanese Pure Land Jodo sect (Jodo-shu)
- Kūkai (9th century Japanese monk, founder of Shingon)
- Myoe (Japanese monk of the Shingon and Kegon schools, known for his propagation of the Mantra of Light)
- Nakahara Nantenbo, Toju Zenchu- Zen master and artist. 1839-1925
- Nichiren (founder of Nichiren Buddhism)
- Nikkō (founder of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism)
- Rōben (8th century Japanese monk, invited Simsang to Japan and founded the Kegon tradition, based upon the Korean Hwaeom school)
- Ryōkan (18th century Japanese Zen monk and poet)
- Saichō (9th century Japanese monk, founder of Tendai tradition, based upon the Chinese Tiantai school)
- Shinran, founder of the Japanese Pure Land Jodo Shin sect (Jodo Shinshu) and disciple of Hōnen
- Takuan Sōhō (Zen teacher, and, according to legend, mentor of the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi)
- Yamamoto Gempo Zen Master (1866-1961)
Korean
Burmese
Thai
Historical rulers and political figures
- Ashoka the Great (304–232 BC), Mauryan Emperor of ancient India, and the first Buddhist ruler to send Buddhist missionaries outside of India throughout the Old World (阿育王)
- Brhadrata, the last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty
- Menander (Pali: Milinda), 2nd century BCE, an Indo-Greek king of northwestern India, who questioned Nāgasena about Buddhism in the Milinda Pañha, and is said to have become an arhat.
- Theodorus (1st century BCE), Indo-Greek governor, author of a Buddhist dedication.
- Kanishka, ruler of the Kushan Empire
- Shōtoku (574-622), crown prince and regent of Japan
- Liang Wudi (梁武帝) (502-549), emperor during the Chinese Liang Dynasty
- Harshavardhana (606-648), Indian emperor who converted to Buddhism.
- Wu Zetian
- Jayavarman VII (1181-1219), king of Cambodia
- Anawrahta (1044-1077), first unifier and Buddhist King of Myanmar. Introduced Buddhism to Myanmar.
- Mindon Min (1808–1878), king of Myanmar and facilitator of "Fifth World Theravada Buddhist Council" or Fifth Sangayana
- Mongkut, king of Thailand and founder of the Thammayut Nikaya
- Emperor Ming of Han China.
- Tang Dynasty
- Kublai Khan Mongol Ruler.
Modern teachers
Zen teachers
Japanese
Chinese
European
American
- Anne Hopkins Aitken, (1911-1994)
- Bodhin Kjolhede, Rōshi (1948- )
- Brad Warner, Sensei
- Jundo Cohen, (Just Jundo)
- Cheri Huber
- Daito Zenei Eric Thompson, Sensei (1956- )
- Daizui MacPhillamy, Rev. Master (19??-2003)
- Elihu Genmyo Smith (1948-)
- Genjo Marinello (1954- )
- Dogo Barry Graham (1966-)
- Haju Linda Murray, Sunim (1944 -)
- Jakusho Kwong, Rōshi (1935- )
- Houn Jiyu-Kennett (1924-1996)
- James Ishmael Ford, Rōshi (1948- )
- Jeff Tipp, [ pŏpsa], Jidō Pŏpsanim
- Jiyu Kennett, Rōshi (1924-1996)
- John Crook (1930- )
- John Daido Loori, Rōshi
- John Tarrant, Roshi (1949 - )
- Joko Beck (1917- )
- Kobutsu Shindo Malone, Rōshi
- Kongo Richard Langlois Roshi (1935-1999)
- Paul Haller, Rōshi
- Paul Lynch, [Dochong pŏpsa], Jidō Pŏpsanim (1957- )
- Philip Kapleau, Rōshi (1912-2004)
- Robert Baker Aitken, Rōshi (1917- )
- Ji Bong Haeŭm sŏnsa, [Robert Moore], Zen Master (1941- )
- Sevan Ross, Sensei (1951- )
- Sherry Chayat, (1943- )
- Soeng Hyang (Barbara Rhodes)
- Tenshin Reb Anderson
- Tetsugen Bernard Glassman, Rōshi
- Zentatsu Richard Baker, Rōshi
- Zoketsu Norman Fischer
- Ven. Heng Sure (1949-)
Korean
Vietnamese
Miscellaneous
Modern scholars in Buddhist studies
Modern Buddhist authors
Modern politicians, activists, and protesters
Celebrity Buddhists
- Oliver Stone Controversial film director [2]
- Orlando Bloom, English actor[3]
- Leonard Cohen Canadian singer/songwriter/poet [4]
- Richard Gere, American actor [5]
- Angelina Jolie, American actress, humanist activist, Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency[6][7][8]
- Tina Turner, American singer-songwriter
- Uma Thurman, American actress [9][10]
- Miranda Kerr, Australian supermodel, one of Victoria's Secret Angels [11]
- Jet Li, Chinese martial artist, Hollywood actor[12][13][14]
- Kate Hudson
- Dennis Weaver
- Allen Ginsberg, poet [15]
- Jack Kerouac
- Philip Glass, composer [16][17]
- Phil Jackson, Basketball coach of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers
- K.D. Lang, Canadian singer [18][19]
- Courtney Love, American singer-songwriter [20]
- Alanis Morissette, Canadian singer-songwriter [21]
- Victor Pelevin, novelist[22]
- Keanu Reeves, American actor [23]
- Sting, English singer-songwriter, lead vocalist of The Police
- Thuy Trang (1973-2001), Vietnamese American Actress [24]
- Tiger Woods American Golfer [25]
- Naomi Watts, British-Australian actress.[26]
- Sharon Stone, American actress, producer, and former fashion model.[27]
- Ming-Na Wen, Chinese American Actress
- Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Inc.
- Steven Seagal, American actor and aikido expert
- Adam Yauch, American musician, director, producer, Beastie Boy
Fictional Buddhists
References
See also
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